Alan Smith analyses the three round of 16 ties involving British clubs and
picks out the opposition players to fear.

Their strength, as we know, lies in attack where Robin van Persie has added an extra dimension. Assuming this continues to be the case come mid February, it would not be a surprise to see United score one or two in the first leg in the Bernabeu. For me, that applies especially if Pepe and Sergio Ramos line up for Real in central defence. Both like to get tight, both like to dive in, and Van Persie has the nous to roll those challenges. Defensively, of course, United must improve. If they can manage that, this tie becomes considerably more even.

Key Threat

Take a wild guess. As one of the best players to ever walk this earth, Cristiano Ronaldo represents the obvious danger over two legs. It will be fascinating, then, to see what Sir Alex Ferguson does to try to contain the flier. Who, for instance, will play at right-back? Rafael has the pace but does he have the know-how?

By playing their game. Because there is no other way for Arsène Wenger’s side. The Frenchman, after all, will not significantly alter his usual formation to cope with the German giants. Wenger has always adopted the policy of taking the game to his opponents rather than trying to negate their strengths. While this will give Bayern more than a decent chance, it should also see Arsenal with plenty of the ball. After that, you have got to hope that Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla can pick out some passes to exploit the pace of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With Holger Badstuber injured, the centre of defence is perhaps Bayern’s weak spot.

Key Threat

Take your pick from Thomas Müller, Mario Gomez, Mario Mandzukic, Arjen Robben or the excellent Franck Ribery. So many good players and so many good options. Another one is Toni Kroos, such a dangerous customer coming on to the play 30 yards out. He can slide through a pass and he can shoot well from distance. The kind of player, in fact, Arsenal might find hard to pick up.

By working as hard as they did against Barcelona when, home and away, they never stopped running for the entire duration. And if that huge physical effort denied their opponents time and space, the high levels of concentration were just as important in following the game-plan laid down by Neil Lennon. In addition, Celtic’s big players have got to turn up. Fraser Forster in goal, Victor Wanyama in midfield and Gary Hooper up front must once again do everything right.

Key Threat

As he proved against Chelsea in the group stage, Mirko Vucinic is a very clever player. He might not have scored many for Juve this season, but the Montenegrin striker can make the side tick when he drops off and starts linking the play. This presents a problem to Celtic’s centre-halves. Does one stay tight to stop Vucinic dictating? Or do they hold back to maintain some shape?